Rangers coach John Tortorella fined $20,000

NEW YORK — New York Rangers coach John Tortorella was fined $20,000 by the NHL on Friday for his comments following the team’s 5-2 loss in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.

Tortorella, who was a standout defenseman for the University of Maine (1978-81), called the Penguins “one of the most arrogant organizations in the league” during a profanity-laden tirade that focused on Pittsburgh defenseman Brooks Orpik’s knee-to-knee hit on Derek Stepan.

“It’s a cheap, dirty hit. I wonder what would happen if we did it to their two whining stars over there,”

Tortorella said, referring to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. “I wonder what would happen. So I’m anxious to see what happens with the league with this. Just not respect amongst players. None. It’s sickening.”

Orpik was given a major penalty and a game misconduct, but wasn’t fined or suspended.

“They whine about this stuff all of the time, and look what happens?” Tortorella said. “It’s ridiculous. But they’ll whine about something else over there, won’t they?”